Bands galore at Arts in Parks

July 19, 2012

Bands are featured again this week during the Arts in the Parks celebrations, albeit two quite different types of music.

Minot City Band "Sousa" Concert, Oak Park, tonight at 7 p.m.

The annual Sousa Concert is one of the more popular performances by the Minot City Band every year. This year's installment takes place at 7 p.m. tonight at the Oak Park bandshell.

John Philip Sousa, known as the American March King, composed more than 130 marches from 1917 to 1932, including some of the best known in the canon. His father, a trombonist in the Marine Band, enlisted his son in the Marine Corps to keep him from joining a circus band. Sousa later served as director of that band for 12 years.

City Band conductor Jerry Spitzer said they would be doing "a couple, three" of Sousa's marches, in addition to highlighting several of their own members. Pat Schwan will be double- and triple-tonguing his trumpet to "The Carnival of Venice." Also, twins Matthew and Alan Jeramiason will be playing trumpet and trombone on "Cousins" by Herbert Clarke, who also arranged the "Carnival." Mary Muhlbradt will be singing a solo on "Down by the Salley Gardens," a Yeats poem set to an Irish air.

"This is the last appearance by the City Band this year except during the State Fair Parade," Spitzer said.

The visual artist is Tami Millstead, mosaics.

GreenMan in concert: Sunday, 4 and 7 p.m.

in Scandinavian

Heritage Park

GreenMan is a traditional Irish-Celtic band that has played together since 1997.

"We don't have a lot of chance to play in Minot, especially during the summer, since we all either are or have been teachers, and our summers are precious to us," said Steve Files, who is featured on bodhran and vocals. "We've played a lot of the Arts in the Parks programs over the years, and it's one we love. We played right at the end of last summer, after the flood, in the Scandinavian Heritage Park."

Besides Files, GreenMan also features Russ Hanson, guitar and vocals; Kari Files on whistles, accordion, cittern, harp and vocals; and Justin Rasch on fiddle and vocals.

The group's website (www.greenmancelticmusic.com) states, "Living in the Upper Great Plains, our traditional Celtic roots developed from festivals, concerts and recordings.

"Our influences range from the Chieftains to newer traditionalists like Solas and Dervish. We keep it simple, try to play each song with the energy and vibrancy it deserves."

They will also offer at least one singalong, "Wild Rover," to give the audience a chance to join in traditional Celtic fashion.

Terri Aldrich, executive director of the Minot Area Council of the Arts, which promotes the Arts in the Parks, recommends bringing lawn chairs and bug spray. She also plays one of the flowers collecting freewill donations for the concert series, to facilitate keeping the concerts free. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be cancelled.